An Ecuador fan displays the national flag inside the stadium before the match.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Ivory Coast have reached their first World Cup since 2014, and they carry the momentum of a three-game winning streak as they seek to bypass the group stages for the first time ever. They face Ecuador in their opening game on June 14, 2026.

A mix of European club veterans and young emerging stars, Ivory Coast has Franck Kessie, Evan Ndicka and Ousmane Diomande are the players to watch out for. The highest rated players in Ecuador are Moises Caicedo, Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie. 

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